Closure assembly, system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly (100) for a container (200) is provided. The closure assembly (100) includes a frame (105) configured to couple to a container (200); an interior lid hingedly coupled to the frame (105) along a first longitudinal side thereof and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid (110) includes a lid rim that defines an opening, a flexible membrane (300) housed within the opening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane (300) defines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab member (120) fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane (300), wherein the tab member (120) defines a channel groove (125) configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles. The assembly further includes a cover panel (150) hingedly coupled to the frame (105) along the first longitudinal side thereof and movable between an assembly closed position and an assembly open position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/022,189, filed May 8, 2020, the contentsof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to a device, system and method of adispensing articles from a container system.

BACKGROUND

Containers can be configured for dispensing sheets of material, such asnonwoven articles used for cleaning, sanitizing, or personal use. Sucharticles can be circular, oval or rectangular in shape, and can bestored as a roll and the like, and can be stored perforated or separablyconnected in a container. The material can be packaged dry or can bepackaged moistened with a cleaning solution or lotion, for example toproduce wet wipes. Conventional containers for such material can includeboxes, stand-up containers, canisters or the like, and can be configuredas a unitary piece with an orifice to dispense the sheets of materialtherethrough. Such containers can be rigid, or can be made from arelatively flexible material. The containers can have an opening throughwhich the materials may be removed. Furthermore, the opening may becovered by a lid, such as a hinged cover or adhesive strip that can beopened or closed repeatedly. An example of such containers can be foundin U.S. Publication No. 2014/0048553, entitled “Dispenser,” and in theU.S. Publication No. 2014/0103058, entitled “Wipes Dispenser andDisposal,” the contents of each of which is incorporated by reference intheir entireties. Typically, these containers are disposable and cannotbe refilled with tissue by the consumer.

A disadvantage of such containers is that removal of material can deformthe lid assembly, which can cause the closure mechanism of the lidassembly to become loose and/or can decrease the effectiveness of thelid orifice to control dispensing of material.

Further deformation can cause such closure mechanisms to fail, thuspreventing the lid from being secured in a closed position over thecontainer. In some conventional containers, the lids have been known toentirely detach from the container.

Another disadvantage of such containers is that the orifice size canaffect the dispensing of the material. That is, an orifice that is toosmall can cause individual sheets of material to tear when pulled outthrough the orifice. On the other hand, an orifice that is too large cancause the sheets of material to clump or rope when pulled out throughthe orifice or can cause unnecessary moisture release from the packageitself.

Thus, there remains a continued need for improved containers, includinglid assemblies for containers for dispensing sheets of material,including wipes. The presently disclosed subject matter satisfies theseand other needs.

SUMMARY

The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be setforth in and are apparent from the description that follows, as well aswill be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additionaladvantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attainedby the devices particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, thedisclosed subject matter includes a closure assembly, lid, containersystem, and method of dispensing articles.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a closureassembly for a container is provided. The closure assembly includes aframe configured to couple to a container; an interior lid hingedlycoupled to the frame along a first longitudinal side thereof and movablebetween a closed position and an open position, wherein the lid includesa lid rim that defines an opening, a flexible membrane housed within theopening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zoneconfigured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and atab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above themembrane, wherein the tab member defines a channel groove configured toreceive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein andseparate the leading article from the plurality of articles; and a coverpanel hingedly coupled to the frame along the first longitudinal sidethereof and movable between an assembly closed position and an assemblyopen position.

According to another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a lidfor a container is provided. The lid comprises a lid rim that defines anopening; a flexible membrane housed within the opening of the lid rim,wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configured to permit aplurality of articles to feed therethrough; and a tab member fixedlycoupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, wherein the tabmember defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading articleof the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading articlefrom the plurality of articles.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, acontainer system is disclosed comprising a container, a plurality ofarticles therein, and the closure assembly as described herein.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, amethod of dispensing articles from a container system is furtherprovided. The method includes providing a container system as describedherein; transitioning the cover panel to the assembly open position andthe lid to the open position; inserting a plurality of articles into thecontainer; transitioning the lid to the closed position; pulling aleading article of the plurality of articles through the zone; andselectively inserting the leading article through the channel grove toseparate the leading article from a next article in the plurality ofarticles.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description and drawings are examples and areprovided for purpose of illustration and not intended to limit the scopeof the disclosed subject matter in any manner.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the devices of the disclosed subject matter. Togetherwith the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles ofthe disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the application will be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the closure assembly with the lid in theclosed position, according to an embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a top view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure assembly with the lid in anopen position, according to an embodiment of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the closure assembly of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a front view of the closure assembly of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a cross section view of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a top view of the closure assembly of FIG. 7

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the lid, according to an embodimentof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the lid of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 depicts a top view of example membranes, according toembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 16-19 depict views of an isolated view of a flexible section ofthe tab member as a perspective top view, a perspective bottom view, abottom view, and a cross section view, according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 20 is a magnified partial view of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 21 depicts an alternative embodiment of a closure assembly,according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 22 is a side view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 23 is a cross section view ofFIG. 22 .

FIG. 24 is a side view of FIG. 7 and FIG. 25 is a cross section view ofFIG. 24 .

FIG. 26 depicts a spring loaded section of a shaft, according to thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of FIG. 26 and FIG. 28 depicts a phantomside view of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 29 depicts an isolated partial phantom view of the cover panel,according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 30 depicts a closure assembly and container, according to thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 31 depicts an example of a package holding articles therein,according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 32 depicts the device of FIG. 30 with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 33 depicts the device of FIG. 32 receiving the package of FIG. 31therein.

FIG. 34 depicts the device of FIG. 32 with the lid transitioning to theclosed position.

FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 depict the container system with a leading articledisposed in the membrane alone and disposed in the tab member.

FIG. 37 depicts the device of FIG. 32 with the cover panel in theassembly closed position.

FIG. 38 depicts a back perspective view of FIG. 37 .

FIG. 39 depicts a magnified view of a bracket for coupling with acontainer system, according to the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 40 depicts a double bracket, according to the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 41 depicts an example of the double bracket of FIG. 41 coupled withcontainer systems having different packages therein, according to thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 42 depicts the container system of FIGS. 33-38 supported by a baseof the container.

FIG. 43 depicts the container system of FIGS. 33-38 supported by aholder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The examples herein are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner. The disclosedsubject matter will be described in conjunction with the detaileddescription of the system.

The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable errorrange for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill inthe art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured ordetermined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides closure assembly, lid,container system, and method of dispensing articles. According to anembodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the closure assemblyincludes a frame configured to couple to a container; an interior lidhingedly coupled to the frame along a first longitudinal side thereofand movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein thelid includes a lid rim that defines an opening, a flexible membranehoused within the opening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membranedefines a zone configured to permit a plurality of articles to feedtherethrough, and a tab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim andextending above the membrane, wherein the tab member defines a channelgroove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality ofarticles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality ofarticles; and a cover panel hingedly coupled to the frame along thefirst longitudinal side thereof and movable between an assembly closedposition and an assembly open position. According to another embodimentof the disclosed subject matter, a container system is providedincluding the closure assembly coupled with a container.

Solely for purpose of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view ofthe closure assembly 100 coupled with a container 200. FIG. 2 is a backview of the device of FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, and FIG.4 is a cross section view of FIG. 3 about lines A-A. FIG. 5 is a topview of the closure assembly of FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectionalview of FIG. 1 about lines B-B. As depicted in FIGS. 1-6 , the closureassembly 100 includes a frame 105, a lid 110, and a cover panel 150. Theframe 105, lid 110, and cover panel 150 all move about the same axis. Asbest shown in FIG. 1 , the frame 105 is configured to couple with thecontainer 200, which thus couples the closure assembly with thecontainer. As further discussed herein, the cover panel 150 is movablebetween an assembly closed position and an assembly open position. Asdepicted in FIGS. 1-6 , the cover panel in an assembly open position forpurposes of discussion.

The cover panel 150 and the lid 110 are individually hingedly coupled tothe frame 105 along a first longitudinal side thereof. The cover panelis movable between an assembly open position and an assembly closedposition, and the lid 110 is movable between a closed position and anopen position. As depicted in FIGS. 1-6 , the cover panel 150 is shownin an assembly open position, whereas the lid 110 is shown in its closedposition. The cover panel 150 can have a wide range of open positionsand the assembly open position of FIGS. 1-6 is exemplary. FIGS. 7-12depict the closure assembly of FIGS. 1-6 with the cover panel 150 andthe lid 110 in open positions.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lid 110 includes a lid rim 115 thatdefines an opening and a flexible membrane 300 housed within the openingof the lid rim 115. The flexible membrane 300 defines a zone configuredto permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, as furtherdiscussed herein. The lid further includes a tab member 120 fixedlycoupled to the lid rim 115 and extending above the membrane 300 at anangle. Alternatively, the tab member can be fixedly coupled to andparallel with the rim. The tab member 120 defines a channel groove 125configured to receive a leading article of the plurality of articlestherein and separate the leading article from the plurality of articles,as further discussed herein.

An embodiment of the lid rim 115 with the flexible membrane 300 thereinis shown as an isolated unit in FIGS. 13 and 14 . The flexible membrane300 includes a first portion 305 and a second portion 315 separated by adistance dimension of the slot gap 320 that creates the zone. Theflexible membrane 300 is designed to permit roping of articles storedwithin the container 200. The first portion and the second portioncooperate together to permit a plurality of articles to be pulledtherethrough without causing a separation of individual articles fromthe plurality of articles. The first portion 305 and section portion 315are configured to retain an article therebetween, such as a wet wipe, topermit an edge of a leading article to extend through the membrane whilethe cover panel 150 is in the assembly closed position. As such thedistance dimension of the slot can be any suitable dimension to permitroping during use, but also to allow for retention of an article whennot in use. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first portion 305 andthe second portion 315 can overlap with each other such that a slot gapis not evident until an article is being pulled through the membrane. Infurther embodiments, the first portion 305 and the second portion 315can overlap even during use such that a passage is created for the zonethat deflects the first portion 305 with respect to the second portion315 to permit an article to pass between 305 and 315 through thepassage. As such, the distance dimension between the first portion andthe second portion can range from zero to an approximate diameterdimension of the article when in a roped or twisted configuration whenin use.

The flexible membrane is pliable enough to permit a user to insert theirfingers through the membrane at the slot gap and to pull an article fromthe container therethrough, and strong enough to retain a wipe betweenthe first and second portions such as when the cover panel is in theassembly closed position. As such, the flexible membrane has a firstconfiguration with the first portion and second portion separated by thedistance dimension of the slot gap, as shown in FIG. 13 . A separationforce exerted on the first portion and the second portion, such as by auser's fingers, expands the slot gap into a second configuration andupon removal of the separation force, the first and second portiontransition back to the first configuration shown by FIG. 13 . Themembrane can comprise any suitable material to permit such features ofthe membrane to function, such as, but not limited to silicone rubber,thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester,polyethylene and other plastics.

As best shown in the back view of FIG. 14 , the first and secondportions can define a center aperture 325 that is disposed at anapproximate center of the slot gap. The center aperture 325 of themembrane can facilitate ease of separation of the first portion andsecond portion of the membrane to permit a user's fingers to be insertedtherethrough. The center aperture 325 can also cooperate with the tabmember 120, as further discussed herein. The first and second portionscan further define apertures 330 at the respective ends of the slot gap.The apertures 330 can provide further structural support for themembrane to prevent any tearing of the membrane during use. Although theslot gap is shown as a curved line, the slot gap can be any suitableshape to facilitate the functionality of the membrane while alsoproviding a seal for the opening of the lid rim to maintain any moisturein the container and prevent evaporation thereof. FIG. 15 depictsexamples of other various shapes 320A-320H of the slot gap of themembrane 300, for purposes of example.

As depicted in FIG. 13 , the tab member 120 is fixedly coupled to thelid rim 115 and extends above the membrane 300. The tab member 120 isrigidly disposed at an angle to the lid rim and disposed opposite thefirst longitudinal side of the frame. The angle of the tab can be anysuitable dimension to permit the tab member to function as describedherein, and enable the tab member to be housed within the space betweenthe membrane and the cover panel when the cover panel is in the assemblyclosed position. The tab member 120 defines the channel groove 125groove configured to receive a leading article of the plurality ofarticles therein and separate the leading article from the plurality ofarticles. The tab member 120 further includes a flexible section 130that defines a flexible orifice 135 at an end of the channel groove 125.The flexible orifice 135 cooperates with the channel groove andseparates a leading article from the plurality of articles withoutsubstantially removing excessive or material liquid from the leadingarticle and retains a next article within the orifice 135 after theleading article is removed. Accordingly, the channel groove 125 and theorifice 135 can cooperate with the central aperture 325 when the tabmember 120 is in use.

FIGS. 16-19 depict isolated views of a flexible section 130 of the tabmember depicting an exemplary orifice 135 according to an embodiment ofthe disclosed subject matter. FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of theorifice that shows a portion of the channel groove 125 and FIG. 17 is abottom perspective view. FIG. 18 is a bottom view of FIG. 15 and FIG. 19is a cross section view of FIG. 18 along lines A-A. As depicted in FIGS.16-19 , the flexible section can include a groove 137, which can couplewith a rigid section of the tab member to affix the flexible section tothe rigid section of the tab member.

As best shown in FIG. 14 , the lid can further include a sidewall 140extending downwardly from a perimeter of a bottom surface of theinterior lid. The sidewall 140 can defining a cavity 145 configured tocooperate with the frame to releasably lock the lid in the closedposition. As such, an interior surface of the frame can include a framelatching member 107 extending outwardly therefrom, such as a frameprojection. The cavity 145 can receive the frame projection 107 thereinto releasably lock the lid with the frame in the closed position. FIG.20 is a magnified partial view of FIG. 10 . As best depicted in FIG. 20the frame latching member is depicted as a frame projection 107.

FIG. 21 depicts another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Inthis embodiment, the lid can further include a seal 117 circumscribing aperimeter of the lid rim and the cover panel 150 can further include araised bead 155. The seal 117 and the raised bead 155 can cooperate witheach other to provide a tight seal assembly for the closure assemblywhen the cover panel is in the closed assembly position. As such, theraised bead 155 can rest on the elastomer seal 117 to create a sealassembly. In other embodiments as depicted in FIG. 1 , the cover panel150 alone can include a seal 157 to seal the closure assembly when thecover panel is in the closed assembly position.

As noted above, the cover panel 150 and the lid 110 move independentlyof one another but share the same longitudinal axis for rotation. Thelid 110 can be moved between the open and closed position withunrestricted movement. The cover panel 150 can be biased towards theassembly closed position such that the cover panel 150 moves toward theframe when the cover panel is released from the assembly open position.The cover panel can be spring loaded to provide the biasing of the coverpanel in the assembly closed position. FIG. 22 is a side view of FIG. 1showing the cover panel 150 in the assembly open position and FIG. 23 isa cross section view of FIG. 22 about lines C-C. FIG. 24 is a side viewof FIG. 7 showing the lid 110 in an open position and FIG. 25 is a crosssection view of FIG. 24 about lines C-C. The cover panel 150 can furtherinclude a shaft that locks the cover panel with the frame 105. The shaft160 can include a spring-loaded section 165 for biasing and a closureretarding system 170, as discussed herein. FIG. 26 depicts an exemplaryspring-loaded section 165 and FIG. 27 is an exploded view thereof. Asshown in FIG. 27 , the spring-loaded section 165 can include a spring167. FIG. 28 depicts a phantom side view of the spring-loaded sectionwith the spring 167 therein.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 25 , the shaft can further include a closureretarding system 170. The closure retarding system is configured toretard movement of the cover panel when the cover panel transitions fromthe assembly open position to the assembly closed position. As such, thecover panel can slowly close within a reasonable period of time afterbeing in the assembly open position. This enables a user to quicklyremove an article without wasting the user's time to close the coverpanel. FIG. 29 depicts an isolated partial phantom view of the coverpanel 150 with the spring-loaded section 165 and the closure retardingsystem 170. In certain embodiments, the closure retarding systemincludes a rotary damper, such as commercially available FRT-S1 SeriesRotary Damper by Bansbach.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, acontainer system is disclosed comprising a container 200, a package 300of articles therein, and the closure assembly as described herein. Thecontainer can be any suitable container that can contain objects, suchas a package of articles therein, and that can be coupled with the frameof the closure assembly. The container can be coupled with the frame inany suitable arrangement, such as for purposes of example by threadingor snap fit arrangement. As best shown in the embodiment of FIG. 20 ,the container 200 can have a snap fit connection that is complementarywith mateable beads of the frame 105. In one embodiment, the containerhas partial or complete transparency such that product information of apackage or articles therein is viewable through the container. Asexample of a suitable container is provided in FIG. 30 , and anexemplary package 400 is provided in FIG. 31 . In certain embodiments,the container 200 and frame 105 can be manufactured as one componentwith the closure assembly including the lid and the cover panel alone.

The container 200 can receive the package 400 containing a plurality ofarticles. The package can be any suitable package such as a flexiblewrap package that contains sanitizing wet wipes, as shown for purposesof example in FIG. 31 . The package can contain a plurality of articles,such as wet or dry wipes. Thus, the package can include any articlestherein that can be dispensed. Alternatively or additionally thereto,the container 200 can receive a plurality of articles in an unpackagedstate. Further examples of suitable articles include wipes, tissues suchas moist toilet tissue or dry tissues, facial pads, nonwoven materials,woven materials, and the like. As such, the article can be dry, moist,or wet and include lotions, chemical formulations, and the like. Thearticles can be arranged in a roll for easy dispensing and desiredroping. An end of the package can be removed in order to retrieve thearticles therefrom such that the opened package is accessible in thecontainer, as further described herein with respect to the method ofdispensing.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, amethod of dispensing articles from a container system is furtherprovided and as furthermore discussed above in relation to the aspectsof the disclosed subject matter. FIGS. 30-39 depict steps of using thecontainer system and steps of dispensing articles therefrom once theclosure assembly is affixed to the container. As such, the methodincludes providing a container system as described herein, as providedin FIGS. 30-31 . As shown in FIG. 30 , the cover panel has beentransitioned from the assembly closed position to the assembly openposition. As shown in FIG. 32 , the lid has transitioned to the openposition. As represented by FIG. 33 , the package of FIG. 31 has beenopened and is being inserted into the container. As shown in FIG. 34 ,the lid is transitioning to the closed position. As represented by FIG.35 , a leading article 700 of the plurality of articles is pulledthrough the slot gap of the membrane. As shown in FIG. 36 , the leadingarticle 700 is selectively inserted through the channel grove toseparate the leading article from a next article in the plurality ofarticles. However, as further discussed herein, the articles can beselectively fed through the membrane alone or selectively fed throughthe membrane and the tab member. As shown in FIG. 37 , the cover panelhas automatically transitioned from the assembly open position to theassembly closed position and is ready for a next use. The containersystem can be attached to a bracket as shown in FIGS. 30-37 .

Alternatively or additionally thereto, a base of the container cansupport the container system alone as shown in FIG. 42 , or can fitwithin a holder 600 as shown in FIG. 43 . When attached to a bracket,the lid assembly can be coupled to the bracket in any suitable manner.FIGS. 38 and 39 depict an exemplary connection for the container systemand the bracket. As shown in FIG. 38 , the frame 105 can includerecesses 106 configured to receive prongs 506 of the bracket 500 for asecure connection. In certain embodiments, the bracket can include twolocations to receive two container systems, as shown in FIG. 40 . Assuch, each location can house different kinds of products, such as onelocation for germicidal disposable wipes suitable for skin exposure andanother location for germicidal disposable wipes containing bleach (andnot suitable for skin exposure). FIG. 41 provides an example of a doublebracket used that secures two different product packages therein. Inthis embodiment, the wall attachment system is positioned between thetwo dispensers as such the unit as shown has a low profile depth fromthe wall. Accordingly, the profile depth of the unit is dependent uponthe depth of the containers rather than known systems that have profilesdictated by the bracket in combination with the containers. As shown in

FIG. 41 , the overall depth of the unit from the wall in said embodimentis less than 4 inches, which meets compliance with the AmericanDisabilities Act and in particular ADA Section 307 regarding protrudingobjects.

The closure assembly, including any of the components thereof, can bemade of any suitable material to enable the device to function asdescribed herein. For example, components of the assembly not otherwisespecified herein can be made of a polymer, copolymer or resin, such asHDPE—High Density Polyethylene, LDPE—Low Density Polyethylene,LLDPE—Linear low-density polyethylene, PS—Polystyrene, PVC—Polyvinylchloride, PP—Polypropylene, ABS—Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PET orPETE—Polyethylene terephthalate, PC—Polycarbonate, SAN—Styreneacrylonitrile, POM—Polyoxymethylene, Acrylic, Nylon, and combinations orblends thereof. Furthermore, the assembly or components of the devicecan comprise metal, glass or ceramic. The components can be made of thesame material or can be made of different material.

The assembly can be constructed by any suitable method. Examples of suchmethods includes, but is not limited to, overmolding, injection molding,thermoforming, compression molding, transfer molding, machining,additive manufacturing/three dimensional printing, and the like andother suitable methods are contemplated herein.

The container system can be any color, or a plurality of colors. Forexample, a closure assembly having an orange cover panel can beindicative of a product contained therein having bleach. The device canfurthermore include patterns and texture to be more aestheticallypleasing to consumers or to communication certain kind of information toa consumer. The texture processing can include brail, engraving,embossing, and debossing. The system can furthermore be plated, coated,and painted. The container system can further be coated such as withclear or tinted coatings as known in the industry. The system can alsobe painted, coated with polymers, sprayed, and dipped. The system canadditionally include in mold labeling, adhesive labeling, hot stamping,printing, and water transfer films.

While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms ofcertain embodiments and representative examples, those skilled in theart will recognize that various modifications and improvements can bemade to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scopethereof. Additional features known in the art likewise can beincorporated. Moreover, although individual features of one embodimentof the disclosed subject matter can be discussed herein or shown in thedrawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it shouldbe apparent that individual features of one embodiment can be combinedwith one or more features of another embodiment or features from aplurality of embodiments.

In addition to the various embodiments depicted and claimed, thedisclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments havingany other possible combination of the features disclosed and claimedherein. As such, the particular features presented herein can becombined with each other in other manners within the scope of thedisclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter includesany suitable combination of the features disclosed herein. Furthermore,although reference is made to a system for integrating a package with acontainer throughout this disclosure, other suitable container-likedevices can be integrated using the system and method disclosed herein,such as a disposable container attachable directly to the frame. Thus,the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosed subject matter to those embodiments disclosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the system and method of thedisclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosedsubject matter include modifications and variations that are within thescope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure assembly for a container, comprising: aframe configured to couple with a container; a lid hingedly coupled tothe frame along a first longitudinal side thereof and movable between aclosed position and an open position, wherein the lid includes a lid rimthat defines an opening, a flexible membrane housed within the openingof the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configuredto permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab memberfixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, whereinthe tab member defines a channel groove configured to receive a leadingarticle of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leadingarticle from the plurality of articles; and a cover panel hingedlycoupled to the frame along the first longitudinal side thereof andmovable between an assembly closed position and an assembly openposition.
 2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexiblemembrane includes a first portion and a second portion separated by adistance dimension of a slot gap defining the zone, wherein the firstportion and section portion are configured to retain an articletherebetween.
 3. The closure assembly of claim 2, wherein the firstportion and the second portion cooperate together to permit a pluralityof articles to be pulled therethrough without causing a separation ofindividual articles from the plurality of articles.
 4. The closureassembly of claim 2, wherein the flexible membrane has a firstconfiguration with the first portion and second portion separated by thedistance dimension of the slot gap, wherein a separation force exertedon the first portion and the second portion expands the slot gap into asecond configuration and upon removal of the separation force, the firstand second portion transition back to the first configuration.
 5. Theclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane includes afirst portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion andsection portion overlap with each other and are configured to retain anarticle therebetween.
 6. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein themembrane comprises at least one of silicone rubber, thermoplasticelastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester, and polyethylene. 7.The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the tab member is rigidlydisposed to the lid rim and disposed opposite the first longitudinalside of the frame.
 8. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the tabmember is positioned between the cover panel and the membrane.
 9. Theclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the tab member further includes aflexible orifice at an end of the channel groove, wherein the flexibleorifice separates the leading article from the plurality of articleswithout removing material liquid from the leading article and retains anext article therein after the leading article is removed.
 10. Theclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes aninterior surface, the interior surface having a frame latching memberextending outwardly therefrom, wherein the frame latching memberincludes a frame projection; and wherein the lid includes a sidewallextending downwardly from a perimeter of a bottom surface of theinterior lid, the sidewall defining a cavity configured to receive theframe projection therein to lock the lid with the frame in the closedposition.
 11. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover panelis biased towards the assembly closed position.
 12. The closure assemblyof claim 1, wherein the cover panel and the lid move independently ofone another.
 13. The closure assembly of claim 1, further comprising aclosure retarding system configured to retard movement of the coverpanel when the cover panel transitions from the assembly open positionto the assembly closed position.
 14. The closure assembly of claim 13,wherein the closure retarding system includes a rotary damper.
 15. A lidfor a container of articles disposed therein, the lid comprising: a lidrim that defines an opening; a flexible membrane housed within theopening of the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zoneconfigured to permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough; and atab member fixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above themembrane, wherein the tab member defines a channel groove configured toreceive a leading article of the plurality of articles therein andseparate the leading article from the plurality of articles.
 16. Acontainer system comprising: a container; a closure assembly having: aframe configured to couple to the container, a lid hingedly coupled tothe frame along a first longitudinal side thereof and movable between aclosed position and an open position, wherein the lid includes a lid rimthat defines an opening, a flexible membrane housed within the openingof the lid rim, wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configuredto permit a plurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab memberfixedly coupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, whereinthe tab member defines a channel groove configured to receive a leadingarticle of the plurality of articles therein and separate the leadingarticle from the plurality of articles, and a cover panel hingedlycoupled to the frame along the first longitudinal side thereof andmovable between an assembly closed position and an assembly openposition; and a plurality of articles receivable within the container,wherein a leading article of the plurality of articles is accessible inthe container through the flexible membrane when the cover panel is inthe assembly open position.
 17. The container system of claim 16,wherein the container is at least partially transparent and productinformation of the plurality of articles is viewable through thecontainer.
 18. The container system of claim 17, wherein articles areselectively fed through the membrane alone or selectively fed throughthe membrane and the tab member.
 19. The container system of claim 17,wherein the articles are wet nonwovens.
 20. The container system ofclaim 17, wherein the plurality of articles are contained in a packageand the package comprises a flexible package of wet wipes therein.
 21. Amethod of dispensing articles from a container system, comprisingproviding a container, a closure assembly having: a frame configured tocouple to the container, a lid hingedly coupled to the frame along afirst longitudinal side thereof and movable between a closed positionand an open position, wherein the lid includes a lid rim that defines anopening, a flexible membrane housed within the opening of the lid rim,wherein the flexible membrane defines a zone configured to permit aplurality of articles to feed therethrough, and a tab member fixedlycoupled to the lid rim and extending above the membrane, wherein the tabmember defines a channel groove configured to receive a leading articleof the plurality of articles therein and separate the leading articlefrom the plurality of articles, and a cover panel hingedly coupled tothe frame along the first longitudinal side thereof and movable betweenan assembly closed position and an assembly open position, and aplurality of articles receivable within the container, wherein a leadingarticle of the plurality of articles is accessible in the containerthrough the flexible membrane when the cover panel is in the assemblyopen position; transitioning the cover panel to the assembly openposition and the lid to the open position; inserting the plurality ofarticles into the container; transitioning the lid to the closedposition; pulling a leading article of the plurality of articles throughthe zone; and selectively inserting the leading article through thechannel grove to separate the leading article from a next article in theplurality of articles.